Lecturer in Zoology in the University of Cape Town.
1919.
CAPE TIMES LIMITED, CAPE TOWN.
PREFACE AND INSTRUCTIONS.
Owing to the fact that some of the types of animals available for the study of Zoology in South Africa differ from those described in text books for students in other countries, it has been found necessary to draw up special directions and diagrams for laboratory use in this country. These are now put in the more convenient form of a text book, which, though intended primarily for the use of the students of the University of Cape Town, may, it is hoped, prove useful to others engaged in the teaching and study of Zoology in South Africa.
The general plan of the course intended to be followed is first an introductory study of a type of vertebrate. The Platana or Clawed Toad, Xenopus lævis, is the most convenient type for this in South Africa and in some respects is more instructive than the Frog.
Xenopus is therefore chiefly dealt with, but Rana can also be used, the differences in this type being indicated in italics. It is recommended that both types be studied where possible.
Only these two types are dealt with here, but may be followed by descriptions of other South African types, such as the South African Crawfish, Dogfish, Earthworm, etc.